Emcee Harlequinade is a recognisable face on Edinburgh’s slam poetry circuit, even when hidden under kinky, creepy clown makeup. Here he’s taking the plunge into storytelling with an apocalyptic tale of hell and high water flooded with references to H P Lovecraft, twisted wordplay and subversive lyricism. Channelling hip-hop rhythms and tribal chants, he’s impressive in full flow, conjuring images of postmodern, post-catastrophe wastelands or mocking politics and pop culture in hyperactive verbal cascades. It’s held together by a subtle, sinister soundscape by regular collaborator Asthmatic Astronaut. When the beat drops out, though, the thin narrative loses its way, and the fragmentary style starts to feel schizophrenic. Although occasionally out of its depth, this is appealingly different, defiant and slick.
The Banshee Labyrinth, 6 – 27 Aug, 7.30pm (8.15pm), free, fpp270.
tw rating 3/5
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Sections: by Dave Fargnoli - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 3/5 | Tags: PBH's Free Fringe
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